What is Lupus?
What is Lupus?
Blog Article
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body's natural defense system erroneously targets its own organs, resulting in inflammation, swelling, and destruction. This disorder can impact various bodily systems, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and brain.
Details
There are various forms of lupus, with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) being the most common form. In addition, there are discoid lupus, which mainly targets the skin, and drug-induced lupus, triggered by certain medications.
What Causes Lupus?
The exact cause of lupus is unknown, but experts believe it is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. Those with a family history of lupus may be more likely of developing the disease.
Environmental triggers such as ultraviolet light, infections, or particular treatments can trigger lupus in patients who are genetically susceptible. Hormones also are involved, which is why lupus occurs more frequently in women of childbearing age, especially between the ages of 15 and 44.
Signs of Lupus
Lupus appears with a variety of indications, which are different from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms include:
Fatigue: Extreme tiredness is one of the most prevalent symptoms in people with lupus.
Joint pain and swelling: Many patients experience pain, stiffness, and swelling in their joints, especially in the morning.
Skin rashes: A butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose is a typical sign of lupus, but rashes can emerge in other locations.
Fever: Persistent fevers can happen without any clear cause.
Hair loss: Hair loss is prevalent in people with lupus, and some may even suffer from patchy hair loss.
In severe cases, lupus can lead to problems with vital organs, such as the kidneys, lungs, and heart.
How Lupus is Diagnosed
Diagnosing lupus can be tricky because its symptoms resemble those of many other conditions. Physicians use a combination of diagnostic tests, scans, and clinical evaluations to diagnose the condition.
Some screenings used include:
Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test: A positive ANA test often signals an autoimmune disorder, although it’s not exclusive to lupus.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): This test monitors the level of inflammation in the body and is often elevated in lupus patients.
Urinalysis: Checking for protein or blood in urine can indicate kidney involvement in lupus.
Lupus Treatments
Although lupus cannot be cured, medical options are available to control symptoms and improve quality of life. Care strategies vary depending on the severity of the disease but often involve:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These medications reduce pain and inflammation.
Corticosteroids: In more serious cases, corticosteroids might be necessary to suppress the immune system.
Antimalarial drugs: Medications like hydroxychloroquine are effective in managing lupus symptoms.
Ongoing check-ups and adjusting medications as needed are important to living well with lupus.